Many parents have heard those words or something similar. During the pre and early

adolescent years it's a common experience for children to sometimes feel left out and isolated

in the school environment.

The reasons for such feelings are simple to understand. For many children, the age of

puberty and early adolescence brings significant issues in the development of the child's self

concept. This is when children begin to develop an ...............Read More at Counseling.org

Recognizing An Abusive Relationship

from the American Counseling Association

It's an unfortunate situation, and one that happens all too frequently, that people get trapped in an unhealthy and abusive relationship. And while it sometimes is the man who is being abused, in over 90 percent of reported cases it is the woman who is being victimized.

Abusive relationships aren't always about physical abuse. It also includes sexual and emotional abuse. And while it's pretty clear that if someone hits, pushes, slaps or shakes the other person that abuse is taking place, abuse in other forms is just as real, often more damaging, and actually more frequent than physical abuse. Signs of such abuse include:

- forcing sex when it's not wanted

- name calling and constant put downs

- frequently checking up on what the person is doing

- maintaining total control over money

- making threats to kill you if you leave, threatening the children, threatening pets

- keeping you isolated from your family and friends.

Experts report that these forms of sexual and emotional abuse are more common than physical abuse, and can even be much more damaging as they destroy the victim's self esteem......................................Read More at Counseling.org